By Ben Leonard
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photo credit: San Jose Barracuda–Pink is the new color for shutout for SJ Barracuda Saturday over San Antonio

SAN JOSE, Calif. –The long, drawn-out chase for Roy Sommer’s 637th win seemed to take a lot out of the San Jose Barracuda, pressing to earn their coach his win. After they finally helped him set the AHL’s all-time wins record on Wednesday, captain Bryan Lerg said the victory helped them all “take a deep breath.” That breath certainly appeared to have helped the team clear its head, picking up its first shutout in franchise history in a 5-0 victory over the San Antonio Rampage.

Before Wednesday’s victory, the Barracuda had dropped 8 of their last 9 in search of that victory. “Enough was enough, Lerg said. “I told Roy before the game that it was happening tonight. It’s just been lingering too much. It’s easy to say, but it had been weighing down people because everyone wanted it done.”

With the weight off his shoulders, ‘Cuda goalie Aaron Dell had another masterful game in the net for San Jose, picking up 30 saves to keep the Rampage from lighting up the lamp. Dell now has 80 saves in the last two games.

Right winger Ben Smith scored twice for San Jose, including the first goal off a deflection on a power play early in the first period. Heading into the third period, the ‘Cuda had a nice 3-0 cushion behind goals from defenceman Patrick McNally (his first of the season) and right winger Nikita Jevpalovs.

In the third period, the ‘Cuda added some insurance on another Smith goal, his fifth of the season, pushing the lead to 4-0. A few minutes later, Lerg added a goal, pushing the lead to an insurmountable 5-0.

NOTES: Sommer bestowed the honor of dropping the puck in the second game of a doubleheader at SAP Center…San Jose donned pink sweaters for cancer research…San Jose outshot San Antonio 43-30….